Articles | Volume 21, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3491-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3491-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
02 Aug 2024
Research article |
| 02 Aug 2024
| 02 Aug 2024
Patterns and drivers of organic matter decomposition in peatland open-water pools
Julien Arsenault
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Département de Géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, H2V 0B3, Canada
Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL), Montréal, H2V 0B3, Canada
Julie Talbot
Département de Géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, H2V 0B3, Canada
Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL), Montréal, H2V 0B3, Canada
Tim R. Moore
Department of Geography, McGill University, Montréal, H3A 0B9, Canada
Klaus-Holger Knorr
Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry Group, Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
Henning Teickner
Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry Group, Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
Jean-François Lapierre
Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL), Montréal, H2V 0B3, Canada
Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, H2V 0B3, Canada
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We present a method to estimate the degree of decomposition (fraction of initial mass remaining) of peat from mid-infrared spectra, which also allows to reconstruct the initial mass (aboveground net primary production). Both quantities are required to estimate the mass and carbon balance of peatlands and are useful to model peat physical and hydraulic properties. The approach is therefore useful to test and improve peatland models and our understanding of the long-term peatland carbon cycle.
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Short summary
Peatlands are among the largest carbon (C) sinks on the planet. However, peatland features such as open-water pools emit more C than they accumulate because of higher decomposition than production. With this study, we show that the rates of decomposition vary among pools and are mostly driven by the environmental conditions in pools rather than by the nature of the material being decomposed. This means that changes in pool number or size may modify the capacity of peatlands to accumulate C.
Peatlands are among the largest carbon (C) sinks on the planet. However, peatland features such...
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